Means for consolidating in a single beam light from a plurality of sources



F. D. BLAUvEL-r 2,342,115 MEANS FOR CONSOLIDATING IN A SINGLE BEAM LIGHT FROM A PLURALITY OF SOURCES Filed NOV. 2l, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1944. E D. BLAUVELT Elfi-M5 MEANS FOR CONSOLIDATING IN A SINGLE BEAM LIGHT FROM A PLURALITY OF SOURCES Filed Nov.. 2l, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'Sim l 215 ggg INVENTOR:

ATTORNEY Feb. 22, i944. F1 U LAUVELT y 2,342,115

MEANS FOR GONSOLIDATING IN A SINGLE BEAM LIGHT FROM A PLURALITY OF' SOURCES Filed Nov; 2l, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Feb. 22 944. F, D BLAUVELT ZQ. Tl

MEANS FOR CONSOLIDATING IN A SINGLE BEAM LIGHT FROM A PLUHALITY OF SOURCES Filed Nov. 2l, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l f I v 'Patented/Feb. 2z, 1944 MEANS FOR CONSOLIDATING IN A SINGLE BEAM LIGHT FROM PLURALITY F SOURCES Frederic D. Blauvelt, Upper Montclair, N. J.

Application November 21, 1941, Serial No. 419,954

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful immovement in means for consolidating in a single beam light from a plurality of sources.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description, read in conjunction with the drawings in which-v Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section through the construction shown in Fig. 1 on the piane indicated by 3 3; lig. 411s atop View of the construction shown g. i Fig. 5 is a section through the construction shown in Fig. 1 on the plane indicated by 5 5;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section through one of the lenses shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 'I is an enlarged section through the central portion of the construction shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through another cf'the lenses shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through the centrai part of the construction shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section through the outer portion of the construction shown in Fig. 8;

In the drawings means for consolidating I includes reflector 2 which between the limits indicated by I and 4 is a section of an ellipsoid (Fig. 1). The major-axis of ellipsoidal reflector 2, is on line 5. The ilrst focus of the reflector is at point 6, and the second focus is at point l. A light source is located at focus 6. This may be an incandescent bulb or a vapor lamp of high illumination intensity, but is preferably an arc maintained between electrodes 8 and 9 (Fig. 3),. Suitable means (not shown) is provided for regulating the position of the electrodes and the wattage developedin the arc.

Diametrically opposed to reflector 2 is reector i2 which is also a segment of an ellipsoid extending between limits indicated by i3 and i4. Re-

, nestor i2 is a segment of eiiipsoidr having its major axis on line 5 and having one focus at i6 and its other focus at 1. A light source is located at the focus IB corresponding to that maintained at focus 6 and similarly preferably maintained by means of an are between two electrodes i9 and (Fig. 4). By reference to Fig. 5, which is a horizontal section, it will be seen that there are in all four such reiiectors, i. e., 2,12, 20, and 2l. Reilectors 20 and 2| are similarly 4segments of an ellipsoid. Ellipsoidal segment 20 extends between limits 22and 23. Ellipsoidal segment 2| extends between limits 24 and 25 (Fig. 1) Ellipsoidal segment 20 has a first focus at 2li and a second focus at- 1. A light source is similarly maintained at focus 26 preferably by means of electrodes 2l and v2li (Fig. 4). Ellipmidal segment 2i has a rst focus diametricaily opposite focus 26 and a second focus at 1. A light source is similarly maintained at said rst focus preferably by means of electrodes 3i and 32 (Fig. 4). The meeting lines of the respective reilectors, each of which is a segment of an ellipsoid, are indicated by numerals 33, 34, 35, and 36 (Fig. 5). These reectors collectively define centrally located orifice or outlet 31 (Fig. 5). The upper edge of the reilectors collectively is spanned by cover plate 40 (Fig. l) the plan of which is indicated by outline 4I ,of the reectcrs collectively (Fig. 5). Cover plate 40 carries hemisphericalcups 42, 43, 44 and 45. Each cup is concentric with a particular light source and the interior is a reecting surface which serves to redirect radially incident rays through the focus into the corresponding ellipsoidal reflector. Inasmuch as rays generated at the first focus of any particular ellipsoid are reflected through the other focus and the other focus of each of the ellipsoidal reflectors coincide, it will be evident that substantially all of the rays generated at each yof the four outside foci will pass through the coincident focus 1 in an upwardly direction. After passing through this point, these rays enter vertically disposed reector 50. This reflector is also a segment of an ellipsoid having one focus atpoint i and its major axis through this point normal to cover plate 40 and normal to the major axes of ellipsoidal reflectors 2, i2, 20, and 2 I. The rays entering the reflector 50 would, if unmodified, meet in the other focus thereof For most purposes, however, it is essential that these rays be converted into the substantially parallel or converging components of a single beam and-for this purpose I utilize the di-optic condenser 52 consisting of the lens 53 of negative focal length and lens 54 of positive focal length.

As the respective beams are reflected from the surface of the central ellipsoidal reflector 50, they are swung into the horizontal field and are con- -verged to a point which is the second focus 5i of the central ellipsoid. A s all of the respective beams now emanate to a single point on the optical axis, they therefore have the characteristics of a single source and are in parallel relationship. The elds which have now become a solid superimposed iield of light, are not permitted to intersect at the second focal point but as they emerge from the central circular ellip.

soid, they are intercepted by the lens 53. While y the respectivebeams are now superimposed and occupy a-continuously common area symmetrical with the optical axis, the intensity in this event is unevenly distributed over the eld. As is evident from Fig. 1 approximately one half of the light from any source falls on and is reflected from that part of a reector bounded upwardly by the horizontal axis such as 5 in Fig. 1 and bounded downwardly by the point at which line 55 intersects reflector l2 or a corresponding point on any other reflector. tion of the line 5 andthe line 55 with the ellipsoidal reector 50 it will be seen that this one 'half ofv the light will pass through the central part of lens 53. This greater amount of light intensity being concentrated .toward the center requires evening up.

Following the intersecf In order to accomplish this, the lens 53 intercepts the field and this lens is a bi-focal lens, the inner or central part 6B v being that of a double concave type of special curvature while the outer circular part Si is that of a plano-concave type of different curvature.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '1, it will be seen that the part 6l is of the plano-concave type and intercepts the outer part .or the less intense part of the eld producing a less convergent beam as indicated by line 62 (Fig. 1) the relativity of the constituent rays being changed into a more contracted beam, naturally occupyingv less area, and focused to a further point on the axis.

The central portion Bilof the lens 53 is made up of two curvatures on each side of the lens.

These are arcs of circles 63, 64, 65 and 66 which intersect at the optical axis and whose radii of generation and centers of curvature are located on oppositesides of the optical axis on temporary axes, symmetrically parallel to the optical axis. Therefore, the points of these curvatures where refraction is nil, are pointsin line with the temporary axis out of line with the optical axis. The function of this lens is to spread the axial rays into a circular eld of light diverging them to the desired extent. Likewise the refraction is greater toward the outside of the lens and therefore as we move toward the periphery, the

with the axis will focus at a point correspondingly out of line provided a lens of uniform circular shape with its center of curvature on the optical axis is used.

In order then to accomplish the desired relasired foci, then lthe darkened arcs of the circles representing the circular lens 1 |will again center the circular field on the optical axis at the desired point. The convex curvature corresponding entirely to the two temporary axes and to the focal points on those axes, one of which is the desired focal point and the lens having its nil point of refraction on either side of the optical axis, the two parts of the beam are then brought into coordination with the optical axis, having been focused again to a single point of the optical axis.

This now produces a combined field of light of all the light beams brought into the system in which the rays from the individual beams rays willimdergo a greater spread enlarging the beam radially and eecting aratio of intensity to square area consistant throughout the entire field.

Now that we have separated the total beam into two parts, a solid central eld and a circular field and spread them. over the desired area evening up the intensity over the total eld, it is necessary to coordinate them again. In order todo this, the lens 54 intercepts the beam at the proper plane. This must be at a plane of intersection of the two parts of the field where the intensity has been corrected. At this point, they must be coordinated and again made to-center at the optical axis. Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 the center or solid part of the field must be passed through a second plano-concave lens 10 producing a slightly less convergent beam, focusing at the desired point on the axis. This portion of the beam at all times has been in coordination with the optical axis.

The circular field which at this point is not in coordination with the optical axis must be brought to focus at the same point on the optical axis as the central part of the field. In order to accomplish this, the rays must pass through a convex lens'll to make the beam smaller. The

circular held now emanates from points o ut of line with the optical axis. It is well understoodV that a beam emanating from a point out of line the frustro-conical member 95.

vso

are completely coordinated with the optical axis and may be projected in continuous symmetrical relation thereto, and occupy a continuously common area.

Where the light sources employed are arcs, as shown in the preferred embodiment of my in,` vention, some fume is-or may be developed from the electrodes and in order toprevent this from reducing the light intensity, I provide the duct 8U (Fig. 4) into winch a suitable gas. inert in relation to the electrodes, such as hydrogen or nitrogen, is introduced. This moves through ring manifold 8l to the radial outlets 82, 83, 84 Land by which it is discharged (Fig. l) into the upper ends of the hemispherical reflectors. This A gas sweeps the fume out ofthe reectors discharging it through the bottom outlet 86 (Fig. 1

It will now be evident that the reflectors 2, 20,12 and 2|, together with the reflector 50, cover plate 40, and the respective cup-shaped reiiectors, constitute a chamber. It will also be` evident that a great deal of heat will necessarily be developed in the operation of a number of light sources of great intensity in a restricted space, and for this reason I surround the said chamber with a jacket for the circulation of a cooling fluid. This jacket is made up of the top closure 90, the tubular section 9i, the plate 92, tubular section 93, the bottom closure 94 and (Fig. 1.) Cooling fluid in either liquid or gas phase may be introduced through the inlet 9S, passing off through the outlet 91.

It is evidentfrom the foregoing that the means hereinabove described is capable of consolidating in a single beam light from the plurality of sources located at the outsidefocus of each of the reflectors. For some purposes it may be unnecessary or even undesirable to bring the consolidatedrays into substantially parallelism and in this case the di-optic condenser 52 will be unnecessary.

In using the word light in the description and claims Ido not-mean to limit myself to light within the range of the visible spectrum, but, pro contra,'mean to comprehent light within the infra-red and ultra-violet ranges. If it is desired' that the light passing from the means to be pre-- dominantly infra-red or ultra-violet, the light sources will be appropriately selected to this end. Ii the light consolidated is predominantly within the visible range, and the di-optic condenser ls used, the means may be employed as a searchlight of spotlight for the projection of a beam of high intensity. Ii the means is used to consolidate' light that is predominantly infra-red or ultra-violet, the device may, for example, be used for a variety of purposes, including therapeutic treatment. In such case it may even be desirable that the rays emanated from the device be made to diverge and spread over a considerable area and in this case the lens I of the positive focal length may be replaced by a lens of negative focal length.

The device hereinabove described may, of course, be employed as an independent unit. It is, however, one of the advantages of the invention that this' device may be employed in' conjunction with other similar devices to provide a further concentration of light Afrom other sources as will be evident from the following description.

Referring to Fig. 1, the means |09 includes the reflector' |02 identical in form with 2 hereinabove described. Thisis a segment of an ellipsoid extending from |03 to |95 and having a major axis on the line |05. One focus of the ellipsoid is located at |86 and the other focus at IM. A light source is located at |98 which may, for example, be an are maintained between electrades 09 and ills; electrode Hi8 appears in Fig.

While the companion electrode |69 appears in 21. This major axis is parallel to n, hereinabove described. This ellipscidal reflector ollaY metri/ally opposite to the reiiec or li?? which is identical in form with reflector l2, iieieinn above 'described and is a segment o eilig-isoid extending from H3 to itil. This ellipsoiol has a maior axis on 'the line tot, one .focus at it@ and its other iocus at lill. Alight source is located at the focus l l5 which iznavs for example, he and arc maintained by electrodes i and 25. all 'there are four such ellipsoidal reflectors forni'identical .with these shown i. 'heee reilectors define the bottom outlet lill. The space Within the reflectors and, below the major axis |05 is overlain by the cover folate |40 identical in form and function with cover llate 40, hereinabove describeel.k This carries four hemispherical cups concentric with the four outside foci |42, and |44 (Fig. l) and. in (Fig. 2l. These serve to reflect back radially light incident from each corresponding light source and such light, together with that radiated downwardly" of which three, i. e., |92, |93, and |84 are shown in Fig. 2. These discharge into the tops of the four hemispherical reflectors and by means of the gas so introduced which may, as stated, by hydrogen or nitrogen, the fume is swept out through the bottom outlet |37. For the purpose of carrying away the heat generated at'the light sources, similarly provide the cooling jacket consisting f the top closure |90, tubular section |9|, plate |92, tubular section |93, bottom closure |94 and frustro-conical member |95. Cooling fluid which may. either be liquid or gas is introduced through the inlet |96 passing olf through the outlet |91.

If the two devices are to be jointly employed for the projection of a beam of parallel rays, the dioptic condensers will be similar in form except that di-optic condenser |52 will bringthe rays to converge at focus 5i to be diverged by lens 69 as hereinabove described. If the device is to be utilized for some other purposes, as, for example, illumination or therapeutic treatment, it may be advisable to have the di-optic condenser |52 adapted to the generation of abeam of rays converging at focus 5| while di-optic condenser 52 is adapted to spread or distribute the rays in any manner desired.

I am not limited to the use of two such devices in series, but, pro contra, may employ a larger from each corresponding light source on meeting the point wland is normal te the plane which includes the major a'xes of four ellipsoids. I may similarly provide the di-optic condenser |52 the function of which is hereinafter described.V

For the purpose of sweeping out of the device any fume generated at the electrodes, I similarly provide the ring manifold |8| corresponding to number in this manner thereby consolidating the rays from a greater number of independent light sources.

For convenience in operation for assembly and the replacement of light sources, or electrodes that may be unt tor further use, l provide additlonally means whereby these devices may be readily and quickly assembled in cooperative rey iationship and whereby they be easily separated when desired. includes the hase member 29o (lfiig. l) provided with four uprighs of which lifl and 292 are visible in Fig. 2 While N3 and 26d are shown in Fig, l. These uprights pass through tubes Zult, 2&5, 2t? and ii (Fig. el). Immediately below the plate 94 the rods are of in-n creased diameter providing the shoulders which j and :iii appear in Fig. 2, while lll and 2H appear in Fig. l.

Immediately below the plate ld rode are again of .increased diameter to provide the shoutders ci 'which 2li@ and 72H5 appear in 2 while 2 i5 and 2 i 'l appear in Fig. l.

The foregoing description is for oureases oi illustration Vand not ci limitation,` and itis, therefore, my intention. that the invention he limited only by the appended claims or their equivalents in which I have endeavored to claim all inherent novelty..

I claim;

l. Means for consolidating in a single beam light from a plurality of sources comprising a plurality ci reiiectors, each defining a section of an ellipsoid having a major axis, said maior axis lying in a common plane and each ci said redectors comprising the internal surface oi. an'elllpsoid lying at least .principally on one side of said common plane, a light source adjacent one focus or each of said ellipsoids, the other foci ci said ellipeoids being substantially coincident, a redec- .tor dening the internal section of an ellipsoid 'having a major .axis and having a locus substansi hereinabove described, and four radial outlets corresponding to t2-+95 hereinabove described,

tially in common with said coincident foci, said last mentioned major axis being normal tothe major axes of said rst mentioned ellipsoids, and said reflector lying wholly on the other side o! said common plane, said reilectors'collectively delining a chamber wherein 118ht may pas; from said light sources through said common focus into.

said last mentioned reector, said last mentioned reector defining an outlet adjacent the other focus of said last mentioned ellipsoid.

2. Means for consolidating in a single beam l light from a plurality of sources comprising a plurality ofreiiectors, each defining a section of an ellipsoid having a major axis, said ellipsoids having one focus in common and their major axes in a common plane, said reflectors lying at least' principally on one side of said common plane, a light. source adjacent the other focus of each of said reectors, at least one substantially hemispherical reiiector concentric with a light source.

4 last mentioned reflector defining an opening adjacent the other focus of said last mentioned ellipsoid.

source adjacent the other focus of each of said ellipsoids, a reflector deining a sectidn of an e1- lipsoid `having a focus substantially coincident with 'said common focus and its major axis nor-k mal to said common plane, said reflectors collectively deiining a chamber wherein light may pass from said light sources through said common,`

focus into said last mentioned reector, saidlast mentioned reector d ening an outlet adjacent the other focs of said last mentioned ellimoid, said chamber defining an inlet opposite said outlet on the projected major axis of said last mentioned ellipsoid and separate from the foregoing, a iirst reflector dening a section of a iirst ellipsoid, a light source adjacentone focus of said ellipsoid, a second reiiector dening a section of a second ellipsoid, one focus of saidsecond ellipsoidv being substantially coincidentv with the other focus of said rst ellipsoid, said rst and second 3. Means for consolidating in a single beam light from a plurality of sources comprising a plurality of reiiectors, each defining a section of an ellipsoid, said ellipsoids having one focus in common and their axes in a common plane, a light reflectors collectively defining a chamber wherein light may pass from said light source through said common focus into said second reiiector, said l second reflector defining an outlet adjacent the other focus of said, second ellipsoid on the major axis of said secondvrefiector, a di-optic condenser adjacent said outlet, the said major axis being substantially coincident With the rst mentioned major axis. l

4. Means according to claim v3 comprising in addition a di-optic condenser adjacent said rst mentioned outlet.

FREDERIC D. BLAUVELT. 

